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Reds accept Suarez sanction

The Football Association has announced that Liverpool will not be appealing Luis Suarez's eight-match ban for racially abusing Patrice Evra.

Last Updated: 03/01/12 6:54pm

Luis Suarez: Will serve an eight-match ban after being charged with racially abusing Patrice Evra

The Football Association has announced that Liverpool will not be appealing Luis Suarez's eight-match ban for racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra.

The Reds have reluctantly accepted the sanction handed out to their Uruguayan forward after analysing the FA's 115-page document which detailed their reasons for taking action.

Liverpool have offered unwavering support to Suarez since the race row hit the headlines in October, but they will not be taking the matter any further.

"Liverpool FC have this afternoon [Tuesday 3 January 2012] informed The FA that they will not be appealing the decision of an Independent Regulatory Commission in relation to the recently proven misconduct charge against Luis Suarez," read a statement released on the FA's official website.

"Suarez will be suspended with immediate effect for a period of eight matches, starting with this evening's fixture against Manchester City. Suarez was also fined £40,000 and was warned as to his future conduct."

The FA published the reasoning behind their decision to suspend Suarez on New Year's Eve and Liverpool were given until 13th January in which to lodge an appeal.

Justice

The Anfield outfit will not be taking such action, but they have released a statement of their own, in which they once again state their belief that Suarez has been wrongly singled out as a racist.

"Liverpool Football Club have supported Luis Suarez because we fundamentally do not believe that Luis on that day - or frankly any other - did or would engage in a racist act," read a statement released on the club's official website.

"Notably, his actions on and off the pitch with his team-mates and in the community have demonstrated his belief that all athletes can play together and that the colour of a person's skin is irrelevant.

"Continuing a fight for justice in this particular case beyond today would only obscure the fact that the Club wholeheartedly supports the efforts of the Football Association, the Football League and the Premier League to put an end to any form of racism in English football.

"It is time to put the Luis Suarez matter to rest and for all of us, going forward, to work together to stamp out racism in every form both inside and outside the sport.

"It is for this reason that we will not appeal the eight-game suspension of Luis Suarez."